All the hype, all the preseason talk and bravado and splat, the Jets fell down faster than the Mets in 2007 in Monday’s 10-9 loss to the Ravens.
That ugly loss, if anything, should teach the Jets one thing, you have to score points to win.
The Jets defense was the talk of last year and the talk of the off season. Darelle Revis’ holdout, the addition of Antonio Cromartie, Kris Jenkins coming back 100 percent and the acquisition of Jason Taylor.
It seems as if everyone forgot one thing, offense. Yes, offense. No offense equals no wins. The Jets managed just three field goals in Monday’s loss. They were 1-for-11 on third downs, their wide receivers totaled three catches for 27 yards and Mark Sanchez threw for just 74 yards.
Trust us when we say it was worse than the numbers say. Making matters worse. Shonn Greene, heir apparent to Thomas Jones, ran for just 18 yards and was pulled from the game after a fumble stopped a drive in Ravens’ territory. Greene returned for one play in the second half, but dropped an easy pass that was thrown to him.
It was truly an embarrasment for a team that was the feature of any NFL show that meant anything in the offseason. It was truly an embarrasment for a team that really believes it can make it to the Super Bowl.
Yes, it was bad yesterday. But it was only week 1. As bad as everything looked, it was a 10-9 game in the end. And the Jets had the ball with under two minutes left with a chance to get into position for a final field goal.
Again, it was only week 1. And there are 15 more games to play.
With Patriots coming to town, things could get worse before they get better.